The Santa Fallacy and its Hazardous Effects on the Minds of Youth

[Mundi]

I was talking to retro_link.

 

Then that was not very clear, it appeared that you were shouting against everyone speaking against you.

 

I don't believe it's the same thing. This is nothing like saying music is good because you like it. This is about a deeper meaning with bigger repercussions.

 

I'm just going by the logic that what makes things good is a majority that agree's with you.

 

What repercussions?

Can you give us a reputable source (like a study on the subject) that will back you up on this claim?

 

Just because in your opinion, no one is affected by Santa Claus, I believe they are. Maybe not dramatically, but in an extent I don't want for my children.

 

But it not only in my opinion, most people are disagreeing with you.

Hell, even in development psychology, one of the things you learn is that an important part of growing up is coming to terms with disappointment in life and that even those closest to you can lie.

[Ashley]

You people have to be inventing things I say in your minds, because I just can't understand how you can come up with those things.

 

I was completely making things up in my mind (see, its not harmful ). My response wasn't a response to what you said exactly, but rather "positive aspects of the Santa fallacy". Sorry if you thought it was directly addressing what you argued/you're so vain I bet you think this post is about you, don't you baby?

 

Anyway I realised the other point:

 

Santa is one of the first non-family societal institutions that a child comes to recognise, perhaps even the second one depending on circumstances (the first being the family itself). Children need things that comfort them, or at least its nice to have (if not entirely necessary and lets face it there's thousands of children who grow up without knowing about Santa in different countries and such) and Santa is a safe, comfortable and rewarding (literally) institution. It kind of ties into another point I made but its a stepping stone in the socialisation process...which is, again, like what I said before.

 

Maybe I'm repeating myself.

 

Falalalalalalalalah!

[The Mad Monkey]

Diageo is saying he thinks it's potentially harmful to fill his child's head with these lies. So if you are going to argue with him argue with that. Diageo what harmful effects do you think it will have?

 

This question really needs answering.

 

TBH there are far more important fictional characters that children should be told don't exist, like God, Jesus, Allah and L. Ron Hubbard.

[Diageo]

Then that was not very clear, it appeared that you were shouting against everyone speaking against you.

 

 

 

I'm just going by the logic that what makes things good is a majority that agree's with you.

 

What repercussions?

Can you give us a reputable source (like a study on the subject) that will back you up on this claim?

 

 

 

But it not only in my opinion, most people are disagreeing with you.

Hell, even in development psychology, one of the things you learn is that an important part of growing up is coming to terms with disappointment in life and that even those closest to you can lie.

I have actually been looking for sources that specifically deal with Santa Claus, accredited ones, but haven't been able to find any that agree or disagree with me.

 

But as I said, this is my opinion at the moment, and I will further research this when the time comes. The answers will probably come to me when I finish my psychology course.

 

Yes, people need to learn that even the ones closest to them lie, doesn't mean I am forced to lie to them about Santa Claus.

 

I don't like Santa Claus, in my opinion, lying to children about Santa Claus is detrimental towards critical thinking, promotes materialism and conditional love, undermines parental authority and promotes escapism for happiness instead of finding real sources of happiness, like family and interesting hobbies.

 

You are right though. I have no proof.

 

This question really needs answering.

 

TBH there are far more important fictional characters that children should be told don't exist, like God, Jesus, Allah and L. Ron Hubbard.

Well I obviously won't be telling them God exists, that is a given.

 

Also look at the text I previously quoted for more reasons I agree with.

 

Incidentally, no one answered my question. What would you say if your child asked you this?

"Daddy, how come Jimmy got a Playstation 7 and 12 games from Santa even though he's a big meanie and always bullying people?"

He obviously got it because his parents are richer. Does Santa only give good presents to the rich and bad presents to the poor?

[Ramar]

I understand what he's saying, he wouldn't want to lie to his children. But it's not like you're keeping the worlds greatest secret from them, most kids grow out of Santa and learn the truth eventually.

 

It's like parents telling children babies come stalks or some other bullshit. Children learn the truth when the time comes, whilst they're young you let them enjoy their youth.

[Diageo]

I believe they can enjoy their youth with accurate answers to their questions instead of changing ones depending on their age.

[ReZourceman]

This thread has ruined my Christmas.

 

 

God she is so pretty. "Super" is going to rock. Hard.

[Ramar]

I believe they can enjoy their youth with accurate answers to their questions instead of changing ones depending on their age.

 

So what will you say to a 3 year old who asks where babies come from? Blunt truth? Or a twisted deceitful dirty lie? :p

[Eenuh]

Like Ashley asked before, what are you going to do if your partner says they do want their children to grow up with Santa?

 

Are you just gonna say "Shut up bitch!" and that's the end of it?

[Diageo]

So what will you say to a 3 year old who asks where babies come from? Blunt truth? Or a twisted deceitful dirty lie? :p

 

I'm going for the blunt truth, albeit less descriptive than a biology reproduction class. Something like, "Their mothers" :P

 

Like Ashley asked before, what are you going to do if your partner says they do want their children to grow up with Santa?

 

Are you just gonna say "Shut up bitch!" and that's the end of it?

I don't remember seeing that.

 

But anyway we will have to discuss it and come to a compromise. The same will occur if my partner wants the child to believe in God. I think I'll be a little more lenient with Santa though.

[The Mad Monkey]

I'm going for the blunt truth, albeit less descriptive than a biology reproduction class. Something like, "Their mothers" :P

 

Aren't you gay?

So what will you tell your child when he subsequently ask why don't I have a mother? That you prefer to shove your cock up a mans bum?

[Diageo]

Aren't you gay?

So what will you tell your child when he subsequently ask why don't I have a mother? That you prefer to shove your cock up a mans bum?

I'm bi, so it will depend on who I end up with.

 

I can't really have children if it was a guy. If I adopted then I would have to explain that.

 

That's a bit more vulgar than necessary for the child.

Edited December 22, 2010 by Diageo
Automerged Doublepost

[EddieColeslaw]

Oh of course! Chidren need to hear about this! What an outrage! Children around the globe will abandon Christmas after this revelation breaks out! They'll be really annoyed at the social elite and Coca-Cola for creating this development-stunting demon in 'Santa Claus"! BASTARDS! The children will surely rise up, realising that the current experience of "Christmas" by the western world is in fact a blight on society and a terrible deception, and they would grow up far better without it.

 

Children don't give a shit, Diageo.

 

 

 

 

Actually, a lot of countries don't "have" Santa Claus anyway, and whole countries of Santa-less children don't go demented because of it.

Edited December 22, 2010 by EddieColeslaw

[EEVILMURRAY]

You think you know all because you enjoyed it so much. But you don't take into account that your memories are viewed through rose tinted glasses and perpetuated by cultural norms that Santa Claus is a magical time of a child's life. You think your own experiences speak for all children and because you came out well every one does and there could be nothing wrong with Santa Claus himself. You're stuck in a cultural whirlpool of self-deception.

 

See I can get personal too.

I can't be bothered to check the past couple of pages to see if this was covered, but did Santa molest you or something? Since we've all got these rose tinted glasses on due to enjoying that aspect of our childhood, something must've happened for you to discard the notion of having the same done to any offspring you may have.

there could be nothing wrong with Santa Claus himself.

I've not looked in too much detail the history of the man, but from what I've seen he's generally an all round nice chap. He does seem to go "Shhhh" in many adverts which does grate.

[Diageo]

Santa didn't do anything to me. When my mam told me he wasn't real at like 10, I didn't even believe her for a while. She, and my family were very elaborate with their Christmases to make it seem like Santa was there.

 

Thinking back now, I hardly remember my Christmases. Barely remember small bits of each. Can't even remember what I did last year for Christmas, or what I got. I guess I don't hold the event highly.

Edited December 23, 2010 by Diageo

[mcj metroid]

You may think it's just a bit of fun. But I think it's teaching children bad habits. Like believing in magic, and deception for the sake of doing something they believe is good.

 

Isn't this rather like christianity or religion in general? Like " if you are bad you will go to hell!"

 

I don't agree That santa should be taken away but isn't it incredible that kids will believe ANYTHING their parents will tell them? Isn't it no wonder that hatred of cultures and wars last generations upon generations.

Edited December 23, 2010 by mcj metroid

[Dannyboy-the-Dane]

Appropriate:

 

[mcj metroid]

haha my point in comic form I love it

[EddieColeslaw]

Also appropriate:

 

5 Scientific Theories That Help Explain Santa To Smart Kids

 

When you backtalk your Mom over a cell phone, or spout racism over Xbox Live, Santa's network captures it. He has Naughty/Nice algorithms that run 24 hours a day to track precisely the moment you fall out of one category and into another. There are even supercomputers right now that can predict how likely you are to misbehave in the future. Santa's version can probably start assembling a likely "Nice" list by early spring.

[Paj!]

Santa actually just came round to drop off my pressies.

 

Sorry, Diageo.

[Dannyboy-the-Dane]

Also appropriate:

 

5 Scientific Theories That Help Explain Santa To Smart Kids

 

Oh, yeah, I wanted to post that as well.

[heroicjanitor]

Left the fire on, your move Santa.

[Guy]

A kid was silenced for a week in the game I GM on for yelling there was no Santa.

 

I'm officially a part of the Santa conspiracy now. Look for me in the darkened corners of rooms smoking Morley brand cigarettes.

[EddieColeslaw]

Oh, yeah, I wanted to post that as well.

 

Their articles have been quite hit-or-miss recently, but that one was excellent. It seems that Diageo has been thwarted by SCIENCE!

[Dannyboy-the-Dane]

Their articles have been quite hit-or-miss recently, but that one was excellent. It seems that Diageo has been thwarted by SCIENCE!

 

Their articles are pretty much always hit or miss, but they're often a laugh no matter what.